Clapham’s Omnibus Theatre has opened an online auction with the help of the local community to raise money and keep its creative hub thriving.
Local businesses and residents have pulled together and donated 86 prizes to the auction which include a helicopter ride, a personalised message from Dame Judi Dench and a Greek getaway.
Money raised will go towards refurbishments to the historic building, the maintaining of inclusive tickets, the funding of new and emerging talent and to power outreach and youth programmes.
The award-winning independent theatre, which opened in 2013, receives no guaranteed funding and is hoping to raise £50,000 in the six-week online auction but is calling on the community for help.
Volunteer Gill Appleby said: “The Omnibus is a community space and the community need to support it.
“If we don’t fight for spaces like this, they won’t exist.”
The online auction closes on November 6 followed by a live event that evening to auction off 10 selected prizes. The event will be held at the theatre and hosted by a celebrity auctioneer who is yet to be announced.
The establishment was built in 1889 as a public library and remained that way until 2006 when 13 property developers sought to turn the space into flats. A seven-year community-led campaign took place to save the building and to keep it open for the arts.
The campaign was headed by local resident George Owen, now MBE for his services to the arts and the community in Clapham, who along with 2,000 volunteers raised £130,000 and transformed the library into a theatre for the public.
Originally, the library represented a space that anyone could come into and continuing this has been an important focus for Omnibus Theatre who have kept the spirit of accessibility alive.
The hub is now home to a 100 seat main theatre, an 80 seat studio theatre, a cabaret space and a café & bar which are all available for hire.
The space has always been about the community it serves and providing opportunities as well as welcoming all into their space and empowering those who visit.
Artistic Director Marie McCarthy said: “We believe in giving people the opportunity to speak, because once you’re heard, you feel confident.”
As a charity with no guaranteed funding, the theatre relies on income generated from ticket sales which range from £6 to £20, hires, donations, memberships and last year they received Royal Patronage from The Duke of Edinburgh.
Aside from its shows, the Omnibus runs programmes for local artists such as their ‘Routes’ programme which is a free week-long theatre course for local eight to 11-year-olds during school holidays, providing them with free meals and a chance to create their own play.
They also host a series called ‘In Conversation With’ where they have had guests such as Bill Nighy, Ian Hislop, Toby Jones and Jo Brand.
Appleby said: “This place is a treasure for Clapham.”
Omnibus Theatre’s upcoming shows include Boogie on the Bones presented by Withintheatre which is showing for two weeks and tells the story of young rebels in 1950’s Soviet Moscow. They are also showing a reimagining of Julius Caesar by Tangle Theatre Company starting on October 29.
Omnibus would like to give their special thanks to M. Moen & Sons, Charlotte Cave, Minnow, Hurly Burly, Moxon’s and all the local businesses who have donated and continue to show support for the theatre.
McCarthy said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the community for their continuing support.”
Other prizes include the chance to switch on Clapham’s Christmas lights, a week-long stay in a Swiss Chalet, driving lessons with a local instructor, two tickets to Prime Minister’s Questions and the opportunity to name the Omnibus’s own theatre seats or toilets.
To take part in the auction, head here.
Main image: The Clapham Omnibus Theatre by Finley Adams
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